Glossary

attributes	Fields within MARC records that can be searched. Each attribute must be attached to an attribute set. See also attribute set.
attribute set	Collection of attributes. The purpose of each attribute set is to define end user searches. The M3 system adheres to the standard Z39.50 attribute set to identify search fields. See also attributes.
Authority Control	Controls the consistency of bibliographic records. This is achieved by managing the headings (names, titles, and subjects) for bibliographic records, as well as the appropriate references from unauthorized and authorized headings to and from other authorized headings. See also authority record, cross-references.
authority record	Record in MARC format which controls the authorized forms of names, titles, and subjects in bibliographic records. See also Authority Control, cross-references.
barcode	Unique identification code assigned to an item or patron. An item barcode typi- cally appears somewhere on the item, and a patron barcode typically appears on the patron’s library card.
block	When a message is attached to a patron or item record, it must also be indicated how the message will interrupt (that is, block) the circulation transaction. To do so, a block type is assigned to each message when it is attached to a record. The M3 system includes four block types: • blocking block – The user must select an option in the message dialog box in order to proceed. • information block – The user can bypass this block by clicking anywhere in the window. This is the least intrusive block type. • nudge block – The first time a message with a nudge block appears, the user must select a decision in the message dialog box in order to proceed. Each subsequent time the message appears, the user can click anywhere in the window to proceed. • privilege block – The user must type a password to bypass the message dialog box. This is the most intrusive block type.
blocking block	See block.
Bookbag	Feature in the M3 OPAC and the optional Web Gateway that allows the patron to save item records to a temporary location during a search session.
booking	Method of reserving an item, such as a conference room or a piece of equipment, for a future day and/or time.
Boolean operator	Operators AND, OR, and NOT, used in a search query to link two or more key- words.
Bulletin Board	Feature in the M3 OPAC that can be configured to link to a Web page or HTML file.
circulation period	Period of time that an item can be loaned to a patron in a patron group or a special reserve group. The length of the circulation period is determined by the group the item is assigned to in the Group Editor.
claimed never had	When a patron reports to the circulation desk that the item in question was never checked out to that patron.
claimed returned	When a patron reports to the circulation desk that the item in question was previ- ously returned by the patron.
cross- references	In versions of M3 that support Authority Control, these appear as links in the Search Results window when a search term is entered that is managed under Authority Control. There are two types of cross-references: • “See” references lead a searcher from an unauthorized heading to an authorized heading. • “See also” references lead a searcher from an authorized heading to another related authorized heading.
delimited record	Bibliographic or patron records in which data fields are separated by a space, tab, punctuation mark, or other character. Delimited records are converted to USMARC format when imported into your M3 system.
Design Mode	In M3 Circulation, the mode that allows the panes in the main Circulation window to be customized. A different configuration can be prepared for each transaction mode. See also transaction modes
Enhanced Search	One of two keyword search methods available in the M3 OPAC. This method offers search flexibility and options. See also Standard Search.
FTP	File Transfer Protocol. The predetermined format used on the Internet to send files.
fine	Monetary penalty that accrues when an item’s circulation period has expired before the item has been returned to the library. An overdue item generates a fine when the item is returned or claimed as lost. Damaged items can also generate fines.
fixed width record	Bibliographic or patron records in which data fields are limited to a specified number of characters. Fixed width records are converted to USMARC format when imported into your M3 system.
forgive	In M3 Circulation, an action to dismiss the fine for an overdue item. A fine can be partially or completely forgiven.
grace period	Amount of time a loaned item can be checked out beyond the specified circulation period before the item is considered overdue.
grouping	In ReportTool, a function that allows you to visually separate records that have a specific value and display summary data for each group.
Helping Hand	ReportTool’s wizard that can be used to help you create column, row, label, and crosstab reports; it simplifies the creation of reports. This is explained in more detail in M3 ReportTool online Help.
history	See search history.
hold	Method used to set aside a library item for a patron. When an item is checked into the library and therefore available, it is placed on hold. See also reserve.
holding	Any item, book, videocassette, and so on, currently in the library’s inventory. See also item.
holding record	In M3, a MARC record containing information for a specific item in the library’s inventory.
ILL	Interlibrary loan. The optional Web Gateway module includes an ILL request form.
Index Browse	Feature in the M3 OPAC and the optional Web Gateway that allows a patron to review and select a search term from existing field data. A patron can browse a field index (such as subject, title, or author) to select a search term.
information block	See block.
in-house circulation	Return function designed to “return” items that were removed from their shelf locations and left on library tables or desks. It is presumed that the items were used at the library though not checked out.
interface language	Language in which messages and names of windows, dialog boxes, buttons, text boxes, and tabs display. Selecting an interface language does not affect the lan- guage of the data in the database being used.
IP address	Numeric Internet Protocol address assigned by the Network Information Center (NIC) that uniquely identifies each computer on the network that uses TCP/IP. The IP address is a 32-bit identifier made up of four groups of numbers, each separated by a period, such as 123.432.154.13.
item	In M3, a library holding such as a book, videocassette, or CD-ROM that has a MARC bibliographic record and associated MARC holding record. Items can be added to and/or removed from an item group via the Group Editor module. A holding record can be assigned to only one item group at a time, but can be included in any number of special reserve groups. See also holding, patron group, special reserve group.
item group	Made up of one or more holding records, an item group is used to control the cir- culation behavior for items assigned to that item group. A library can create an unlimited number of item groups. Typical item groups are General Collection and Reference Collection. A holding record can be assigned to only one item group at a time.
join	In ReportTool, a function used to establish a relationship between two tables. A join is necessary when composing a report that contains information in more than one table. Each of the tables to be joined must contain a field with common data.
keyword	Single term used in a search query.
launcher component	Component found in the Visual Catalog Search of the M3 OPAC and the optional Web Gateway that consists of a launcher button and a link to an application or Web page to be launched by the button. See also Visual Catalog Search.
layout screen	Design area of a report; includes section breaks that allow for placement of objects and fields.
Library Transactions Mode	Mode in M3 Circulation in which you can view and print circulation statistics for specific transactions.
loaned item	Item that has been checked out by a patron through the library’s circulation system.
MARC	Machine Readable Cataloging. A MARC record includes a description of the item, the main entry and added entries, subject headings, and the classification or call number. (MARC records often contain much additional information.)
message bank	In M3 Circulation, a collection of patron and item messages available for attachment to patron and item records.
nudge block	See block.
OPAC	Online Public Access Catalog. An online bibliography of a library collection that is available to the public.
patron	Person or organization that is categorized by a single patron barcode for a library’s circulation system. Patrons can be added to and removed from patron and special reserve groups via the Group Editor. A patron can be assigned to only one patron group at a time, but can be included in any number of special reserve groups. See also patron group, special reserve group.
patron group	Made up of one or more patron records, a patron group is used to specify the cir- culation permissions for patrons assigned to that group. A library can establish several patron groups such as General Patron, Library Volunteer, and Staff Member. A library can create an unlimited number of patron groups. A patron can only be assigned to one patron group at a time.
phrase search quotes	In searching, the use of quotation marks (“ ”) to enclose keywords in order to only find instances where the keywords appear together. For example, the keywords “Greek islands” find only occurrences of the two words together, and do not find individual occurrences of Greek or islands.
placeholder	Identifies the position on a report template where database fields subsequently will be placed when a report is created using the template. By using placeholders in a template, you can define the position of data fields prior to creating a report or selecting a database. Placeholders can be created only in a template. However, a report based on a template will inherit the template’s placeholders. Placeholders can be used as markers for database, sort, and group fields, as well as in formulas, crosstabs, and charts. This is explained in more detail in the M3 ReportTool online Help.
port	Interface on a computer to which a device is connected. In TCP/IP networks, a port is the beginning or end of a logical connection. Port numbers identify the type of data being transferred by the port. For example, port 210 is used for Z39.50 traffic.
privilege block	See block.
purge records	This command removes all records marked for deletion from the M3 system. Purged records are permanently deleted.
query component	Component found in the Visual Catalog Search of the M3 OPAC and the optional Web Gateway that consists of a query button and the search query linked to the button. When a query button is clicked, the search query is sent and the results are displayed. See also Visual Catalog Search.
registry service	Provides the system administrator with an inside view into the workings of the server. It also allows the administrator to gain remote access and perform system maintenance. It is not related to the Windows registry.
report footer	Summary information at the end of a report, such as grand totals and charts.
report header	Information at the beginning of a report, such as the report title and charts.
reserve	Method used to set aside a library item for a patron. This method is used when the item is currently on loan. When the item is returned and becomes available, this status changes to hold. See also hold.
Reset	Feature in the M3 OPAC that clears the search history for the current search ses- sion. The system can be reset on command or configured to reset automatically after a predetermined idle time. See also search history.
search history	Feature in the M3 OPAC that allows the patron to return to an earlier Enhanced Search in the current session.
search query	Grouping of keywords and Boolean operators submitted to search a database.
See, See also	See cross-references.
Shelf Browse	Feature in the M3 OPAC and the optional Web Gateway that allows a patron to view records with a call number similar to that of a selected record. This is similar to looking at items to the left or right of a selected item on a library shelf.
SMTP server	Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. A protocol for sending e-mail messages between servers. Generally used to send messages from a client to a server.
special reserve group	Typically, a temporary group of patrons and items established to accommodate unusual circulation needs. For example, a library might create a four-week special reserve group to restrict certain science books to in-library use by students involved in a chemistry project. A library can create an unlimited number of special reserve groups, and patrons and items can be assigned to multiple special reserve groups. Special reserve group permissions override item group permissions.
Standard Search	One of two keyword search methods available in the M3 OPAC. This basic method is meant for simple searches or novice researchers. See also Enhanced Search.
system variable	Data available for use in a report based on the current date, time, or page number.
table check return	See in-house circulation.
TCP/IP	Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. The standard format for trans- mitting data over networks and the Internet.
template	Provides layout and format information to be used when creating bibliographic, holding, and patron records. Also used for reports, as explained in the ReportTool online Help.
temporary items	When creating a new holding record, the record can be designated as temporary. This means that the record will be deleted when the item is returned, and the bar- code can be reused. Some librarians use this method to manage periodicals. You can configure Circulation to allow temporary items to remain in the catalog after being returned. Temporary items cannot be placed on reserve. text field Field created with ReportTool and made of up alpha or numeric characters.
topic component	Component found in the Visual Catalog Search of the M3 OPAC and the optional Web Gateway that consists of a topic button that opens a sub-menu of additional buttons. The sub-menus consist of query buttons that launch database searches, and/or launcher buttons that open different software applications. See also Visual Catalog Search.
transaction modes	Types of transactions that can be conducted in M3 Circulation. The transaction modes are Loan, Return, Renew, Reserve, Booking, and Status. See also Library Transactions Mode.
truncation	In searching, the use of an asterisk () character to designate one or more unspec- ified characters at the beginning or end of typed text. For example, the keyword farm finds all terms beginning with farm: farmer, farming, farms, and so on (including farm). Similarly, the keyword *forest* finds all terms that include forest: deforestation, reforestation, and so on.
use attributes	See attribute set.
Visual Catalog Search	Easy point-and-click graphical search method in the M3 OPAC and the optional Web Gateway. It is a keyword search method disguised behind a graphical inter- face where topic buttons are connected to query buttons, which are linked to pre- defined search queries. The graphical buttons can also be configured to launch software applications. See also topic component, query component, and launcher component.
Web gateway	Interface that allows a library to place its OPAC on the World Wide Web. Patrons use Web browsers to connect to and search the library catalog database.
wildcard	In searching, the use of a question mark character (?) to designate one or more unspecified characters within typed text. For example, the keyword wom?n finds woman, women, and so on.